UT System Tasks President Garcia, Transition Team with Identifying New Campus

The UT System Board of Regents met today on the following item:

2. U. T. Brownsville: Discussion and appropriate action regarding authorization to  purchase  acreage in or near Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, for a purchase price not to exceed fair market value as established by independent appraisals for use as the future campus of U. T. Brownsville

RECOMMENDATION
The Chancellor concurs in the recommendation of President García and Executive Vice  Chancellor Reyes that the U. T. System Board of Regents authorize the Chancellor, in  consultation with Regent Stillwell as Board liaison on U. T. Brownsville/Texas Southmost College matters, President García, and the U. T. System transition team for UTB to identify and  recommend to the Board one or more sites to be acquired through gift and/or purchase at a price not to exceed fair market value for the future campus of U. T. Brownsville.

The Board unanimously gave UT-Brownsville President Garcia and the transition team approval to identify a new and/or second campus.

"This is a very exciting endeavor we are undertaking," said Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa.

Garcia and the Team will begin work on an academic master plan in the fall.

"It is my pleasure to accept this challenge," Garcia said. "... to imagine, envision a 21st Century campus."

Chancellor Cigarroa added that the expertise of a master planner will be sought and that this was a "rare opportunity" for a new campus.

The agenda item took about five minutes to discuss.